Steelers waive RB Rainey after domestic battery arrest

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The Steelers waived running back Chris Rainey on Thursday after his arrest for a domestic battery incident in Gainesville, Fla.

According to the police report, officers were called to a home about 8:30 a.m. after a witness reported that a man and woman were involved in a physical and verbal altercation.

Witness told detectives that Rainey, 24, and the woman got into an argument over Rainey's cellphone.

Investigators said the witnesses told them that the woman got into a car and Rainey confronted her. The witnesses said Rainey then tried to pull the woman out of the car and eventually slapped her in the face.

The police report said the woman was able to run away, but Rainey chased her because his cellphone was in her bag.

The woman did not suffer visible injuries during the incident, officials said.

The investigation revealed that Rainey and the woman have been dating each other for about nine months.

Police said Rainey was charged with one count of simple battery and was taken to the Alachua County Jail.

“Chris Rainey’s actions this morning were extremely disappointing,” Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert said. “Under the circumstances and due to this conduct, Chris will no longer be a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.”

The fifth-round draft pick played in all 16 games for the Steelers, mostly returning kicks. He returned 39 kickoffs for 1,035 yards.

Thursday was the second time Rainey was arrested.

In 2010, he was arrested on a stalking charge because of a text he sent to a woman.

The charge was reduced to a misdemeanor when Rainey completed community service and attended an anger management class.

Rainey is also the second member of the Steelers’ 2012 rookie class to be arrested.

The team released backup nose tackle Alameda Ta’amu after he was arrested for drunken driving in the South Side.